Could this conference be a 'turning point' for the world's use of fossil fuels?
Over 50 countries attended a conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, co-hosted with the Netherlands, to discuss phasing out fossil fuels amid a global energy crisis and rising climate concerns. Despite the urgency, major fossil fuel producers like the U.S. and China did not participate, citing economic and energy reliability concerns. The conference launched a scientific panel on energy transition and emphasized international collaboration to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
- ▪Colombia and the Netherlands co-hosted the 'Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels' conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, in April 2026.
- ▪More than 50 countries discussed coordinated efforts to reduce fossil fuel production and decarbonize trade, while launching a new scientific panel on energy transition.
- ▪The U.S. and China, two of the world's largest fossil fuel consumers, did not attend the conference.
- ▪Vanuatu accelerated its government vehicle electrification plans due to the current energy crisis.
- ▪Renewable energy paired with battery storage has proven reliable, and cost-competitive solar and wind projects are expanding globally.
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Climate In the midst of an energy crisis, countries make plans to ditch oil, gas and coal Updated April 29, 20269:06 PM ET Originally published April 29, 20265:00 AM ET Heard on Morning Edition Julia Simon Could this conference be a 'turning point' for the world's use of fossil fuels? Listen · 2:46 2:46 Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5786914/nx-s1-9749234" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, Colombia's Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres and Dutch Minister of Climate and Green Growth Stientje van Veldhoven attend the Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, on Tuesday.
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